Ask Just Another Team Building Exercise

[Sah'ra Ryun]

Base Camp
0500 Hour
Arkania​

Many expeditions through the frozen tundras of Arkania in search of the rumored-to-be-extinct Arkanian Dragon often led to little more than failure and more often still, death. Whether it be the frigid climate, the unforgiving terrain or some other unknown variable, those who departed into the rocky slopes rarely returned and those who did, did so empty handed. Still the rumors persisted and many believed that somewhere amongst the clouded peaks the dragons survived. Treasure hunters, Zoologists and thrill seekers would continue to try their hand through the passing of time, but Sah’ra had decided it was her turn to succeed where others could not.

Channels between the Sith had been established and a call was put out to any of her kin; Should they wish to prove themselves against such a noble creature, come to Arkania and join her.

With her pack of supplies prepared, Sah’ra sat in wait for those who would answer the call. Much of the camp remained silent, save for the sounds of howling winds outside the heated shelter, allowing her to quiet her mind and listen to the whispers of the Force before her departure. Were it not for the thermos of hot soup she held between her hands anchoring her, reminding her of where she was, she’d have likely fallen into a deep trance. Opening her eyes, she took a long draw from the thermos before letting out a sigh of satisfaction. Perhaps they would not find their quarry. Perhaps the prize was the guide’s culinary skills all along.

”When I leave Arkania, I may be taking you with me, Pip. My own cooking will never compare. If this is what you can do way out here, I’m curious what you can accomplish in a proper kitchen,” Sah’ra said plainly as she looked through the window and up the mountain. The woman simply smiled and chuckled as she went about dividing what remained of the meal for their journey. As they waited for whoever else may come, Sah’ra mused over how she no longer cared if they didn’t arrive at all. More soup for her.

Spoiler

Open to anyone of the Sith Faction. This will be a Dice Based thread to track and potentially fight an Arkanian Dragon. Actions will be determined by a D20 during the search, as will attacks when/if the time comes. While the thread is death disabled, keep in mind that this is a dangerous endeavor and (repeated) failures could/should have dire consequences. I also ask that everyone who elects to participate try to post within a 48 hour time frame so as to ensure the thread does not stall!

 

[Darth Arcanos]

Azar couldn’t stand the cold. He came from an extremely hot planet, and he was used to wearing the lightest armor or minimal clothing. And here he was on some godforsaken planet where the air hurt his face. It was unnatural. He wore several layers, and it still didn’t help. This was the first time he felt such a chill, and he was visibly shivering, strongly regretting ever coming here.

The promise of a ‘dragon’ was the only thing that lured him out. With his interest in alchemy, he had many things he wanted to try with such a creature. He doubted his companions, however, would have the stomach for such things. Another reason for his being here was to actually size up some of the other ‘Sith’. He was new to this concept and he wanted to learn when to collaborate and when to remove the competition.

It was still dark when he arrived to join the leader of this little adventure. He may not have met her before, but he knew her title. Azar offered his respect, bowing before the woman before taking a seat. He initially thought to refuse proffered soup, but he saw the steam rising from it and he reached out with trembling hands.

@Tulos

 

[Trael Osso-Drast]

As he headed from his ship to the camp pack on his back he was immediately beset by regret. Quickly realizing the cold here is much worse than he's experienced he quickens his stride. Trael rushed into the tent rubbing himself. As expected his armor alone wouldn't keep out the cold. He begins rustling through his pack finally pulling out a tightly rolled piece of fabric. He unrolled his coat putting it on and sitting by a heater offering a quick bow before.

It was still dark but beginning to become lighter. This "dragon" was interesting to say the least. From what little he could gather from research most conventional weapons are useless. Though he wasn't a conventional hunter. The biggest hurdle is it flight but a force pull or even force lightening may bring the beast down. He'd have to remember to go after the wings first or get on it and potentially bending it to his will.

He looked at the other two here not fully acknowledging them in his haste to warm up one is a master from the voice that called it was more than likely the women. Though the red skinned sith could be a female though he doubts it. From what he can gather by its looks its either a pureblood or one of its subspecies though he didn't have the knowledge to know for sure. While he's in his thought process a bowl of soup is offered he eagerly takes it hands still shaking from the cold.

 

[Zorya]

Descending upon the scene with a chilling, silent grace, Zorya took in the gathering around the heated shelter. Her figure was a striking silhouette against the backdrop of the icy tundra, a chilling counterpart to the warmth radiating from the shelter. Her gaze was shrouded by the dark shadows of her hood, though the glint of something feral, something undeniably Sith, lurked within.

Upon her shoulder, O'bog fluttered excitedly, "Ho, there, lads and lassies!" the goblin pixie crowed, clapping his diminutive hands with amusement as he observed the trembling figures huddled around their bowls of soup. "Beggin' yer pardon, but ye look like ye've seen a Wampa. Har! And we've not even met the dragon yet!"

Zorya's gaze drifted towards Sah’ra, the figure of leadership in this arduous endeavor, then flicked towards Azar, visibly shivering despite his layers, and finally to Trael, his haste to warm himself causing him to dismiss introductions. O'bog took a quick flight around the tent, flitting in front of each face, while Zorya kept her distance, seemingly absorbed in her thoughts.

"Steeled for the beastie, are we?" O'bog trilled, landing back on Zorya's shoulder, eyes twinkling with mischief. "Can't wait to see yer faces when the dragon shows its gnashers!"

While the goblin reveled in the anticipation of chaos, Zorya held her silence. Beneath her stoic facade, a taut wire of excitement vibrated. Her senses tingled with the mix of the acrid scent of nervousness, the bitter cold nipping at her skin, the sharp taste of the wind. For her, these sensations were not a discomfort but an affirmation, an invocation of the impending hunt. And with her pack already prepared, she was ready to face whatever Arkania held for them.

 

[Kaldar]

If Kaldar had to pick between "desert" and "icy" he would pick icy, but that didn't mean he was really enjoying the over-the-top frigid temperatures that were now assaulting him. He had been hesitant to answer the call to arms to hunt for dragons, but ultimately had decided to pitch his efforts in for a number of reasons.

He didn't expect much camaraderie from his fellow Sith, but they didn't really need that. What they needed was a common goal or enemy and an agreement to achieve that common goal. It certainly didn't hurt that they had a Sith Master here to help ensure that they all stayed in line. He was sure that each and every one of them was bound to push the boundaries.

Wearing snow gear of his own that didn't seem to be keeping out the cold, Kaldar arrived as O'bog was making the rounds, and he settled into a seat after giving a bow to the Master, happily taking the soup. Honestly, if it was poisoned, it might be an improvement over this weather.

Fancy meeting you both out here, he said to O'bog and Zorya, but not saying much else as he greedily took in the warm soup.

 

[Drexus Brogroo]

It had been a while since Drexus' last adventure, and now he was receiving a formal invite from a Sith Master he once fought with. Sah'ra or Master Sah'ra now was a decently well known Sith and now that she has risen up in the ranks she has solidified herself as true Sith. And a true warrior. The idea of what she was doing was interesting as well. Taking on an Arkanian Dragon.. Drexus' father once spoke to him about wanting to capture, raise and train one of his own. Perhaps Drexus could get an Arkanian Dragon's egg out of it.

Looking down at his datapad, he simply said, "Challenge accepted." The Nightbrother was then off to his armor. Placing it all on he took a look at his helmet and sighed. It was admittedly getting old wearing the damn thing. Though until he was ready for the world to know who he truly was, it would stay on.

----Time Skip----

Arriving at the coordinates Drexus was clad in his armor from head to toe, the bundles of cloth under the armor would help insolate, but still the air was crisp. Even with the insolation he could feel it was cold in temperature on the planet, which wasn't a big hinderance, but it was still just as annoying.

Over a ways away, he could see group of individuals huddled in a camp speaking. The dark side flowed around them, it had to be the Sith gathering he was looking for. Making his way over he would sit by them and look around. The only one he recognized was the Sith Master Sah'ra so respectfully he would nod to her once she noticed his arrival. "An honor to fight by your side again, Master. Though I want an egg by the end of this." He finished his final statement with a couple small laughs, but his helmet's modulator made them sound a little more robotic. It was good to be here with a hunting party, it reminded him of Dathomir in many ways.

@Tulos @Sreeya @Aberforth @Phoenix @Javier esschoolbus

 

[Nevizkas]

The wintery scene of Arkania was far from the burning paradise that Cyutadakyr often dreamed of, the kindling pyres and whimpering embers struggled to heat themselves here, let alone others. Only the intense desire to show up Master Ryun would entice the pureblood to this warmth-forsaken world.

Modestly dressed, the champion spotted numerous new faces and disappointingly only one familiar. With a galaxy so vast and with so few Sith left, perhaps the likelihood of running into those she knew diminished as the impatient or reckless found themselves either picked off or drowning in the bottom of a bottle.

The frigid air chilled her lungs and bones, in the most unpleasant way. Taking a seat quietly near the others, she took a moment to size each and every one of them with interest. Death was in the air and perhaps one of them would be freed from their mortal coil this day, or they would slay a beast. Either way, Cyu would get her fill.

@Tulos @Sreeya @Aberforth @Phoenix @Javier esschoolbus @Scoobert

 

[Sah'ra Ryun]

The sounds of footsteps, the vibrations of landing craft, the pulses of energy through the Force. Sah’ra knew now that she would not face this challenge alone. Faces began filtering in as the minutes dwindled by, some familiar while some foreign and new to the Master who had summoned them. Faces that, if they proved powerful enough, would demonstrate to the galaxy that the greatest days of the Sith were not behind them, but ahead.

”Thank you for coming,” Sah’ra spoke clearly, addressing those before her as she scanned each face individually. An irritated glare slowly diminished as she shooed away the fluttering gremlin. ”I hope you’re all prepared for what we face. The mountains are dangerous, and that's to say nothing about the prey we seek,” she continued with a sinister smirk. ”It is occasions such as this that cull the feeble from the strong, a stern hand sweeping away the crumbs of what we once were and molding us into who we are destined to become,”

“Sun’s almost up, kids! Once light crests over Delta Ridge, we hit the trail! Lady’s orders!” Pip declared as she moved to offer each newcomer a thermos of soup as well as a small bowl for the odious creature on Zorya’s shoulder. Sah’ra stood, drawing the hood of her fur lined robes over her head and throwing her bag on her back. She gave the others one last glance before turning to depart the tent with a sly grin. There was no need for further motivational speeches or explanations of what was to come. If they did not come here with the drive and knowledge necessary to survive, may the mountain be their grave.

As the winds and snow whipped around her, she looked upon the clouds that shrouded the mountain’s peak. For a brief moment, hidden between the howls of the tundra, she almost swore she heard a shrill, guttural cry from above. Pip soon appeared at her side, bundled tightly in a miniature parka. “See that cliff face? At the next plateau above was the last rumored sighting of your dragon!” she shouted over the gale. “I still think we should give it a day or two, let the winds settle!”

Sah’ra continued to stare above, listening for the cry once more but was left disappointed. ”We leave now,” she said calmly, casting a glance back over her shoulder towards the others. ”Objections? No? Excellent,”

Pip approached the cliff face, the winds only growing stronger as she shouldered a massive grappling cannon (or perhaps it only seemed massive due to her small stature) before firing, the hooked end on the cable soaring a hundred feet in the air. It would be blown off course but managed to find it's footing as Pip tugged the line to ensure it's safety. Sah'ra, being the one who initiated this expedition, clasped the herself to the cable and pulled two ice picks from her pack and began her ascent.

Spoiler

48 Hour time limit begins now. So long as everyone gets at least one post in per round, you're fine. However, there is no order and feel free to post multiple times if the situation calls for it. Also, in terms of general gear I believe it is safe to assume everyone has the basics of what will be needed to scale a mountain.

8/20 on initial climb. Winds have picked up and the grapple has not landed where it had meant too. Good luck everyone :p

@Sreeya @Javier esschoolbus @Aberforth @Phoenix @Scoobert @Xorism​

 

[Darth Arcanos]

He was happily drinking down his bowl of soup as the others began to arrive. The first was some figure (@Javier esschoolbus ) that arrived and began to chug down the soup just as he had. Azar was surprised when Zorya (@Aberforth )also showed up, along with her trustee little companion that enjoyed loudly announcing thoughts Azar tried to keep private. He rolled his eyes at the mention of the Wampa, another reminder of when he was tossed around like a rag doll.

Next was some pretty boy (@Phoenix ), a Zabrak (@Scoobert ) and… Azar started coughing and sputtering at once, yellow eyes widening in surprise. He accidentally spat some of the soup out, forever destined to make a fool of himself around Zorya for one reason or another and give O’bog another excuse to sing about his misfortunes. This time it was the appearance of another Pureblood (@Xorism ). He originally thought perhaps she was a different race, but the eyes and piercings were unmistakable. He stared at her in stunned silence as if he was seeing a ghost.

“"Tu aras kash tremsi?" He asked her bluntly in ur-Kittat. Why else would a Pureblood be wandering around the galaxy? They didn’t have any desire to be away from their people willingly from his understanding. Suddenly he didn’t feel so alone in the galaxy, though a part of him wasn’t too thrilled. The entire reason their numbers were dwindling was because of in-fighting. For all he knew, she could whip out the blades right here. He tensed where he sat, but didn’t move just yet.

Social time was cut short when the Sith Master called for them all to begin their ascent. Azar stared up at the cliff face and he thought of all the times he had scaled cliffs and canyons on Korriban. He had a method to it and an ice wall seemed… largely similar. He watched the Sith Master use her tools, the cable not quite hitting where it needed. She began to scale nonetheless.

Azar was a Force user first, a blade wielder second. He studied the walls for a long moment, likely allowing others to go ahead of him. After a while, he concentrated the Force and drew out a chunk of the ice wall as a protrusion. His expertise with the Force was in shaping and creating, so this fell within his wheelhouse. He created several protrusions like that which jutted out from the cliff wall. Azar jumped up to grasp the first makeshift climbing hold, easily launching himself to the next one. Within moments, he was scaling up the wall like a pro, his lithe form easily springing up from hold to hold. Anyone else was free to use the icy protrusions if they wanted to attempt the same method of scaling.

Roll: 15/20

@Tulos

 

[Drexus Brogroo]

As Drexus sat and warmed up with the rest of the group he listened to Sah'ras words and nodded as she spoke. It was courtesy to at least show respect to those above you who earned it. In his eyes, she was worthy. Being worthy came with respect. Looking around though, the sight of two Purebloods was a little surprising but in the Sith it seemed anything was possible. It'd be a little cool to see how well they carry themselves in this fight.

Standing up and not speaking to anyone around him he would walk to the ice wall that Sah'ra had made her way to. Watching her miss her target and then looking over to see the Male Pureblood flying up the wall like he was in the game Assassin's Oath(TM). Now it was the Zabrak's turn. He pulled out his icepicks and began climbing at the same fluidity of the Pureblood, but slightly slower. He was wearing armor and heavy cloth on his body, so it made sense. Nevertheless he had the same grace and flow.

The thought of taking on a dragon was having him chomp at the bit. Something about it made him feel alive. It was what he needed in life. Something to occupy his mind and get his name out there for others to remember. The only downside was he would have other Sith with him. This victory would be just his, but he had to start somewhere.

/rolled 14/20

@Tulos @all others

 

[Zorya]

The winds howled in icy mockery as the party assembled for the daunting climb, the frigid temperatures biting through their garments, causing a shiver to ripple down Zorya's spine. The Sith Champion was a figure of implacable stoicism, her dark countenance betraying no emotion. Yet, as her obsidian eyes scanned the group, a flicker of recognition passed her gaze.

The cacophonous screech of O'bog shattered the icy silence as he fluttered around her, casting curious glances at Azar and Kaldar. "Well, if it ain't the prancin' Pureblood and our boy of eternal pratfalls! Fancy seein' ye here," the Ximpi cackled, bobbing in delight before settling on Zorya's shoulder.

The Ximpi then pirouetted towards Azar (@Sreeya), darting recklessly through his trajectory as he scaled the cliff, nearly unbalancing the Pureblood. A tinny guffaw echoed in the icy void, "Watch ye footin', lad! Or ye might meet yer face to the frosty ground again, an' I ain't got no wampa for ye to blame this time!"

A glance at Kaldar (@Phoenix) brought a different set of memories. His previous deception, the subsequent duel, and the subsequent allegiance formed in the haunted ruins of the Sith academy on Umbara. Their fragile partnership was built on the shared goal of restoring the Sith stronghold. "Yer doin' good, boyo. Just like old times, ain't it?"

Zorya's silence was punctuated only by O'bog's mischievous chuckles and irreverent comments, the Ximpi's flamboyant antics contrasting starkly against the harsh, somber reality of their surroundings. As they began their ascent, the little goblin chirped, "Time to show 'em how we do it, Z! Watch yer step, lads!"

Digging her gloved fingers into the ice-covered cliff face, Zorya began to climb. She moved with the precise, measured movements of a seasoned mountaineer, her muscles bunching and stretching with each pull. It wasn't a swift ascent, but it was steady and confident, the cold wind tearing at her hair and biting at her cheeks as she followed the path etched out by Azar's ascent.

Her climb was methodical and unhurried, like a mountain cat traversing an accustomed route. Every footfall, every grip, was a calculated act of deliberate defiance against gravity and the mountain's frigid bite. Every so often, the biting wind would send whispers through the air, carrying fragments of conversations, rustling in the somnolent solitude of the towering ice.

//Rolled a 15/20.

 

[Kaldar]

Something like that, he said to O'bog as they all settled in. Draining off the remainder of his soup, Kaldar couldn't help but wonder who was going to die out here and whether or not it was going to be him. He'd have thought it was going to be the tiny woman, but if his gut was correct, she was the only person out here who was safe. She'd probably done this kind of things a thousand times before and was here to guide them through something she could do in her sleep.

Their first objective was in front of them, and there was no one offering anybody else help out here. And even if it were offered, he'd guess half of them would decline on principle. This was what Master Ryun said: a culler of the weak, and he hoped that wasn't him.

He clipped in and dug his ice pick into the side of the mountain, making his ascent at a slower pace than he'd like, but at least he hadn't fallen yet. Winds whipped in around him, and he pulled himself closer in to the cliff face to try to keep it at bay.

It didn't help his mood much that one of the Purebloods just yeeted himself up the mountain face like an outdoor madlad, while Kaldar kept the slow and steady pace.

Karking show off, he internally grumbled to himself.

And then the Zabrak yeeted on past, too, and Kaldar made a face at them from below and behind his arctic mask. Was he the only one who hadn't received advanced climbing classes?

Oh, and there went Zorya, too. Well, kriff, fine, then. He'd just climb by himself.

Roll: 10/20

 

[Trael Osso-Drast]

Trael not being acclimated to climbing let alone climbing an ice mountain stares ahead up the mountain trying to figure out how to tackle it. Then one of the group flings himself up the mountain. “Smart” He thinks. Then another and finally the woman with the animal goes up making good pace. So he jumps up to the protrusion the first two had used, preparing to use the force to propel him up the cliff. Thud Again being not experienced in this field, his footing gives out from under him and he tumbles back down the cliff unceremoniously. Dusting himself off he decides to continue with the pick and line instead going slow to not embarrass himself again.

@Tulos @everyone else

rolled 4/20

 

[Nevizkas]

Cyutadakyr was quite used to being the only pureblood in the room, hell, even sometimes the only one in the sector. The sudden revelation that this was no longer the case crashed the wheelhouse that was her focus and like her counterpart, stood staring in silence initially with an air of superiority. But then in an instant, she was whisked away from these cold frigid wastelands and teleported home if only for a moment as her ears registered her mother tongue.

It wasn't a question that she expected to have to answer, but even the years past had done little to dilute the act she wrought. Breaking her silence, she forcefully mumbled back in ur-Kittat "J'us Zenoti Niekas." Fratricide was never proven, but it didn't have to be for the stigma to find its mark.

Sitting back as the remaining Sith made their way over to the wall with some more outrageous than others in their method of attack. Cyu answered in kind, attempting to recreate the method that Azar used so delicately to scale the mountain only this time she spaced the holding pieces further apart and with more risk. Like a whispering terror, the pureblood made short work of the distance pulling herself a short distance behind the others and finding herself staring at the other crimson body just a little too long.

Suddenly a break in her concentration caused the ice hold above her to slip off the wall. In the most ungracious sideways slide, the pureblood found herself careening across and upside down, only held in place by the steel spike from her boot. Fuck, she groaned internally as her body grimaced from the slip. She could only hope nobody else noticed as she started to swing herself back around and slowly pull herself back into the climb.

Spoiler: Roll

3/20

@Sreeya @Tulos

 

[Sah'ra Ryun]

As the winds battered those on the grapple line, Sah’ra forced to tuck her face into her bicep on numerous occasions to shield herself from the bitter bite of the breeze, Pip could be heard laughing and singing from above as she dutifully scurried her way up the rock face. While she had scaled much of these mountains numerous times in her long life, the concern she had felt prior was never intended for her own well being but that of the other members of the expedition.

Of course, it seemed three others held little regard to their own safety and well being as they hurried up along the cliff at lightning pace. Sah’ra watched as Azar climbed up the path of his own making with Drexus and Zorya following suit. The Master smirked beneath her scarf before sinking another pick above then glancing below. Two of the expeditionists had vanished in the blowing snow below though she could sense they yet lived. In fact, the humiliation Cyu felt was like a melody to her ears (@Xorism ). ”Safety first, is it?” Sah’ra called down to Kaldar (@Phoenix ) the only member who had elected to utilize the appropriate gear without landing on his face. ”Better they find whatever dangers lie in wait before us anyway!” she chided before continuing on.

A couple hundred feet above where the climb had begun, Azar, Zorya and Drexus would each find the aforementioned clearing and stand on fair footing, looking out over the mountain range. The sun was now well over Delta Ridge but as the wind and snow persisted, much of it’s light was sheltered away. Still, visibility of the immediate area was adequate and they could begin their search for any indication of their targeted dragon.

Ahead and to their left was the fresh carcass of a large creature, blood freezing into a gelatin state as it’s emptied abdomen was left to the elements. A leg was viciously torn off and upon closer inspection, the three would see tracks and a trail of blood quickly vanishing in the snow that led towards a cave entrance a few meters high and wide. This cave entrance did not look natural but was more than likely an old mine shaft, once used to harvest the diamonds that Arkania was renowned for.

If the three were uncertain of what made the kill of this large creature, they would soon take note that there was no indication of charred fur or burned flesh on its carcass. Whether or not this indicated it was felled by some other beast or not wasn’t certain. Not until a final inspection would they notice the quickly vanishing tracks that surrounded the corpse, numbering around half a dozen attackers though a noticeably lesser amount would defect to the cave. In fact, they could make out what looked like drag marks that instead led to the far side of the landing, simply vanishing before the side of the mountain shot upward once again.

As the others would inspect the site, Pip would be the of the others to ascend to the landing, followed by Sah’ra and Kaldar whilst Cyutadakyr and Trael pulled up the rear, battered and bruised from their fall.

“This is it; the last time I heard anyone speak about your ‘dragon’, it was here they saw it!” Pip hollered as she moved to pull a torch from her pack. Sah’ra looked between the three early arrivals before taking in the scene, much of the evidence the others had been able to see prior now hidden away beneath the snow. ”What do you make of this then?” she asked vaguely, searching for opinions on what they believed was the next move. Pip the Guide, lit torch now in hand, smiled in silence as she waited to see if she was called upon for her expertise.

@Sreeya @Scoobert @Aberforth @Javier esschoolbus

 

[Kaldar]

Kaldar looked upward, and actually liked the mentality that the Sith Master had. At least, hopefully it was that and not them trying to knock the others down the rockface.

True enough! he shouted in response over the gusting of the wind. He had no idea what would be at the top, but he didn't imagine it was going to be a warm fire and some hot caf. His money was on more snow.

Kaldar crested the peak some time later, his muscles aching and burning and his face nipped by cold even through his face mask, but he was alive and whatever else was up here was not.

He looked down at the body of the creature in front of them, and the blood that had poured out and frozen, but he knew next to nothing about tracking or the outdoors. Sure, it looked like there were some tracks, but they were such a mess and leading in so many different directions that he wasn't going to be much help in finding what had killed it.

It looks dead, he said with a twinge of sarcasm when the group was asked what they made of it. Fine, it wasn't a helpful comment, and it would make some people probably think he was an idiot, but that was fine with him.

His eyes started to scan the surroundings, but for the moment, he said nothing else. It wasn't his most helpful moment, but surely someone else had a better grasp of the outdoors than he did.

 

[Darth Arcanos]

Azar was unfazed by the other Pureblood’s rigid remark to his query. In fact, he gave her a half grin, "Rasiz nu'll itik kia zenoti vel," He quipped back with a glint in his citrine eyes. (@Xorism)

It was a wonder he managed the climb with O’bog attempting to sabotage him along the way. Unsurprisingly, Zorya kept up just fine, though the Zabrak was a curious addition. In the end, it was just the three of them that made it to the top and he noticed that the majority of the pack animal tracks went off to the side. He had reasons to believe this wasn’t the work of the dragon, and he also knew the spoils of this quest would be split between entirely too many people. Before the others could arrive, Azar conjured the Force just enough to singe parts of the dead animal, waving away the smell.

As the others began to crest the summit, the evidence they found was brushed under the snow. Azar silently stared, a blank look on his face as the pretty man made his very helpful conjecture. The pureblood pointed to the far side of the landing.

“Something big go there and fly up,” He said with his thick accent, the burn marks on the beast implying dragon involvement. He said nothing about it, of course, letting them spot the 'clue', “You track,” Azar suggested to the group that just arrived, “We look shelter in cave. We good climber. Storm come soon,” He explained, pointing up at the sky. He couldn’t tell if a storm was coming, but the sky looked ominous nonetheless, warranting the need to scope out a shelter. His logic was that he could send the other party to go die in the landing where he knew more of the creatures had dragged the leg away. Meanwhile, he, Zorya and the Zabrak were free to climb up, explore the cave, and uncover any treasures or other clues. However, he indicated for Pip to come with him because of the torch.

Azar’s face was impassive, and he waited to see if Zorya or the Zabrak contradicted him and called him out on his completely bogus 'strategy'.

@Tulos @Aberforth @Scoobert @Phoenix @Javier esschoolbus

 

[Zorya]

As the frigid wind whistled past her, Zorya surveyed the cliffside tableau with a hawk's piercing gaze. She stood amidst a hardy canvas of towering alabaster peaks, their majestic crowns kissed by a sun whose warmth was a cruel mockery in the unforgiving cold. The craggy visage of the mountains stood like petrified giants, austere and unyielding under the wintry sky. Before her lay a wide expanse dusted in powdery snow, a clearing that bore the grotesque proof of a recent hunt - a fresh carcass whose lifeblood was seeping into the icy bed beneath, congealing into a scarlet mural of death.

O'bog, perched defiantly on Zorya's shoulder, let out a derisive cackle at Kaldar's asinine observation. "Right ye are, lad," he retorted, his voice laden with sarcasm. "Dead as a doornail, it be. And me thinkin' it was just takin' a wee nap."

Zorya, undeterred by the jovial exchange, focused her attention on the creature's remains. A sight of mottled fur punctuated by brutal claw marks painted a macabre tableau of a struggle that ended abruptly. "This poor sod didn't stand a snowball's chance in hell, eh Zorya?" O'bog chimed in, echoing her thoughts. "Aye, and see the beastie's near as whole as ye or I. No hunger-driven hunt, this. Looks like the predator fancied itself a bit of sport, a gruesome game of cat and mouse."

As Azar motioned towards the yawning mouth of the ancient mineshaft, a glint of avarice danced in O'bog's eyes. He turned to Zorya, grinning broadly. "Aye, how's about we leave these landlubbers to their dragon-huntin', eh? I bet there's a shiny diamond or two left in that ol' cave. Be honest now, what are the chances this motley crew'd even survive a brush with a dragon? Could barely haul their sorry arses up that icy cliff, they could."

Zorya, however, was far too astute to be swayed by the lure of unclaimed riches, or the whims of her chatty companion. With a brief, dismissive shake of her head, she refocused on the task at hand. But Azar's ploy hadn't entirely fallen on deaf ears, and the silent Sith Champion gestured towards the cave with a nod, tacitly signaling her agreement with the Pureblood's tactical proposition.

@Tulos @Sreeya @Scoobert @Phoenix @Javier esschoolbus

 

[Drexus Brogroo]

Drexus managed his climb with relative ease. It wasn't a draining, but it was tasking. He would catch his breath as he looked on and saw a dead beast. Burns coursing it's body, and then a brush of snow covered it after a strong gust of wind flew by. The others started to finally group together. Seemed mission was a go.

Then the male Pureblood spoke up, in a god awful accent. Drexus listened to his half sentences and then under his mask a look of confusion swept over. Why they split up when they're all hunting the beast? Then it hit him.. maybe there was a hidden plan under it. The cave he had mentioned, there could be plenty of treasure inside and if split only three ways, it'd be better than only get a single item. The Zabrak's greed overtaking him for a moment, brought him to his answer, "He's right."

Drexus turned to the others, "It'd have to be that way, and we should all move fast. The sky doesn't look too peaceful." Inside the helmet would be the smirk of a lifetime. It didn't matter who died on this mission, as long as it wasn't himself. Grabbing treasure before finishing a dragon off after it's weakened didn't sound too bad.

The Zabrak began making his way towards the cave, but if someone spoke up he'd stop to turn and look at them. For now he tried to get the group moving.

@Sreeya @Aberforth @Tulos

 

[Sah'ra Ryun]

Squinted eyes glanced over at the man she had climbed with. ”Astute observation,” she replied plainly, shaking her head. ”I hope you’re more gifted with the blade than you are with words,” she continued, walking over and kneeling next to the dead beast, inspecting the singed fur and blackened meat.

Sah’ra had limited experience with Pure Bloods, mostly from her past endeavors with Cyu, but the broken basic that Azar spoke was difficult for her to listen to. What was even more concerning, albeit expected, was the deceit she could feel emanating from him through the Force. She looked back at the corpse then back to him, staring over her scarf into his eyes as she scoured for the truth. ”Perhaps it would make more sense for the best climber to actually be the one climbing, hm?” Sah’ra quipped.

The only thing that was more concerning about the trickery she sensed was the damnable flying gremlin on Zorya’s shoulder. ”Does this thing at least sing?” Sah’ra asked, standing and dusting the snow from her legs. If O’Bog survived this, she’d be disappointed.

”What do you think?” Sah’ra asked of Pip. No one knew these mountains better than her, after all. While she often dismissed the opinions of hired help, she wasn’t so foolish as to dismiss her knowledge when it was the sole reason she was here.

“Why’d ya think I packed the torch?” Pip replied with a beaming smile and a soft chuckle as she wiggled the flaming object in her hand. “These dragons are rumored to nest on the highest peaks. The mines will mostly descend into the mountain but there are air shafts that can be used to reach higher elevations. They’re old and unstable but if we have to spend our time waiting for you to climb, we’ll never reach the top,” she added smugly. “Of course, plenty of other things make the mines their home. As you can clearly tell by the dead thing,” she added playfully, gently punching Kaldar in the hip (which was really just below eye level for her)

Grimacing at the snide comment behind her scarf, Sah’ra turned her eyes to the other three that had arrived prior. While climbing the mountain seemed the most direct route, there was something to be said about the shelter of the cave. Besides, she couldn’t trust any of these people, especially if they separated. Then there was the matter of the stragglers. ”The cave, dangerous as it may be, sounds like the best choice. For all of us,” she added, her attention narrowly focusing on the Pureblood. ”The others can join us when they catch up,”

@Sreeya @Scoobert @Phoenix @Xorism @Aberforth @Javier esschoolbus